Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification

Course Duration: 3 days

Every candidate attending a OWL course must:

• Be 16-years-old or over at the time of assessment

• Be competent and confident in open water

• Be able to submerge under the water confidently

• Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and show urgency.

To perform lifeguard duties, candidates must be; physically fit, have good vision, have good hearing and be mentally alert. All candidates must present suitable identification to the Trainer and Assessor

Course Content:

The OWL enables candidates with no previous lifeguard experience to become qualified. By attaining this qualification candidates will have been assessed as competent to provide supervision and rescue cover for planned, organised and risk-assessed activities in open water still, non-tidal.

The Open Water Lifeguard Qualification, delivered over three days, is valid for two years and is independently assessed. The candidate manual and trainer resources help the Open Water Lifeguard Trainer Assessor deliver through the three sections:

• Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision

• Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action

• Section 3 - CPR and First Aid

New candidates: 18hrs + Assessment
Renewal candidates: 10hrs + Assessment

Awarding Body: Royal Lifesaving Society UK